There's a scene in the movie City Slickers where the 3 main characters are discussing their best day ever. Billy Crystal's character describes his first experience attending a ballgame at Yankee Stadium with his father. He talks about walking out of the tunnel and seeing the grass so green it nearly blinds you, the smell of cigar smoke, and how good the hot dogs tasted. I've never been to a game at Yankee Stadium but I can relate to those feelings.
When I was a young Bean Sprout, probably 9 or 10 years old, I can't remember exactly, my Dad loaded the family in the car and headed north to Kansas City where the Athletics were hosting the Yankees for a weekend series. I know, I know, the A's are in Oakland now but they were originally in Kansas City. I remember that we dropped my Mom and sisters off in downtown KC to do some shopping while Dad and I went to the game. As nearly as I can recall it was very similar to the scene described by Billy Crystal. What I do remember is that Mickey hit one out, Yogi hit one out, and it was the grandest sports experience of my young life. I'd become a Yankees fan at a very early age at the insistence of Grandma Suzie who was a rabid baseball fan and I guess it rubbed off. We were Yankee fans because of Mickey Mantle who was from Oklahoma as were my parents and Grandma. I had no choice. I'm still a Yankee fan, mostly because there are no other American League teams that strike my fancy and if I ever cheered for another AL team Grandma would be spinning in her grave.
But I live in Colorado now and Colorado has the Rockies. It's Spring Training time, 9 days till Opening Day, and I'm starting to get that old tingle. In March, every team is a contender for the pennant, there are no losers and hope springs eternal. Tulo and Cargo have both been signed to long term contracts, Ubaldo has 3 years left on his contract, and Todd Terrific appears to be back in form so those of us in Rockies land are very optimistic. It's going to be a good year at Coors Field and before too long I'll be jumping on the Light Rail to Union Station then walking the 3 blocks to the ballpark. When I walk up the stairs and onto the concourse in the left field corner the grass will be so green it will nearly blind me. There won't be any cigar smoke but I'll definitely be assailed by the smells of cheese steak sammies, popcorn, roasted peanuts, and the hot dogs will taste better than a $25 steak. With any luck I'll be surrounded by good friends and we'll have good conversation during the game. I missed Spring Training this year but when I hear the crack of the bat and see Cargo park one in the second deck in right field, it won't matter.
Is it too early to buy tickets for a Rockies/Yankees World Series? PLAY BALL!
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